What is a 1031 Reverse Exchange

If you find a property you would like to acquire before you sell your current property, a 1031 Reverse Exchange can save you thousands of dollars in capital gains tax.

What is the IRS’s Position on Reverse Real Estate Exchanges?

The IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2000-37 (Rev Proc) in September 2000 that gives taxpayers guidance on Reverse 1031 Exchanges. A “Safe Harbor” Reverse introduces a new entity into the reverse process-an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT). An EAT is a single member limited liability company (LLC) established by a Qualified Intermediary (QI) for use specifically in a reverse exchange. The EAT takes title to, or parks, a property for the taxpayer and holds it until the taxpayer is able to sell the old property. Rev Proc places a time restraint on the taxpayer-the EAT must convey the title on or before 180 days from the date of the EAT’s purchase. When the EAT parks the new property, Rev Proc requires the taxpayer to identify their old property on or before 45 days from the EAT’s purchase. Our reverse exchange specialists will guide you through this process.

Rev Proc also refers to the fact that some reverse exchanges will fall outside of the “Safe Harbor”. A “Non-Safe Harbor” Reverse will follow the guidelines outlined in Rev Proc, with the exception of the 180 day requirement. Typically, construction exchanges fall into this category because they require more time to complete the exchange.

Before the reverse process begins, we will review with the two types of reverse exchanges so you have the information necessary to select the reverse exchange that is best suited to your needs.

Reverse Exchange Timeline

Purchase – Contract Stage

Negotiate your purchase contract for the new property. The Buyer on the contract should be you “and/or assigns.”

Include language in the contract to establish your intent to do a tax-deferred exchange.

Select a title or escrow company and/or closing agent to handle the closing of the transaction. Notify them that you are participating in a Reverse 1031 Exchange.

Purchase – Financing Stage

Negotiate a loan with your lender on behalf of the EAT. The loan is usually secured by the new property.

The EAT signs the Note and the Deed of Trust. Your lender may require you to guarantee the loan. Sometimes the lender also takes a security interest in your old property. Be sure that there is an assumption clause in the Deed of Trust allowing you to assume the loan made to the EAT.

Negotiate with your lender for a clause that allows re-amortization of the loan if there is a single substantial pay down on the loan in excess of a stated percentage.

Purchase – Closing Stage

Inform us when you have a signed purchase contract. Information needed includes:

A copy of the contract

The phone number, name and reference number for the closing agent or title company

Your mailing address, phone and fax numbers

Sale price of the property being purchased

We will contact the closing agent or title company and prepare the Qualified Exchange Accommodation Agreement (QEAA) between you as the Exchanger, and the newly-formed EAT as the accommodation titleholder, as required by Rev Proc 2000-37. Ensure that your lender will forward the funds needed to close on the purchase. The QEAA and other documents will be forwarded to you or to the closing agent, depending on timing and the location of the closing.

The purchase closes, and the title to the property is recorded in the name of the EAT. If possible, one of our representatives will be present at closing to obtain signatures on the QEAA and other documents.

Identify the Relinquished Property

You have exactly 45 days (including Sundays and holidays) from the closing of the new property to identify the property you are going to sell. You have 180 days from the date of closing to close on your sale in order to be within the “Safe Harbor” provided by Rev Proc.

We will send you a notice with the closing date of the new property, the expiration date of the 45-day identification period, the expiration date of the 180-day closing date, and a form to notify us of the location of the relinquished (old) property to be sold.

You must mail or fax the Property Identification Form before midnight of the 45th day from the closing of the new property.

Sale – Contract Stage

Negotiate the contract to sell the old property.

Include language in the contract to establish your intent to do a tax-deferred exchange.

Identify a title company or closing agent to handle the closing of the transaction.

Sale – Closing Stage

Inform us when you have a signed sales contract. Information needed includes:

A copy of the contract

The phone number, name and reference number for the closing agent or title company

Sale price of the property being sold

The sale proceeds are transferred to ERG to hold until you purchase the new property.

Transfer the Replacement Property

We will coordinate with the title company or closing attorney to prepare the closing and transfer documents.

Our Guarantee

U.S. Tax Code, Title 26, Section 1031: "No gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, if such property is exchanged solely for property of like-kind which is to be held either for productive use in a trade or business or for investment.